Sotiraq Hroni is a former Albanian diplomat, an adviser to Albanian Prime Minister (1997), and adviser to the President of the Republic of Albania until the end of 1999. Mr. Hroni is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), a non-governmental organization that over time developed into a think tank organization actively contributing to reforms and development processes in Albania.

Since its establishment, Mr. Hroni’s main responsibility has been with the overall management and development of the organization. His continuous commitments stand with offering relevance to IDM’s strategic development with the country’s development priorities. Mr. Hroni’s contribution rests also in continuous efforts to strengthen the organization institutionally, build a team of like-minded individuals, and jointly lead result-oriented processes in each of IDM’s programmatic areas. Currently, IDM operates in four different research areas including Governance, Security, EU and the Balkans, and Local Governance & Integrated Development.

Through his vision, Mr. Hroni has led the organization’s efforts to grow and achieve a merit-based identity in the civil society market in the country and the region. Moreover, he has built efficient cooperation and partnerships with public and private institutions, which have sustained and grown over the years. This has led IDM to enjoy a credible and remarkable reputation in Albanian society.

Gjergji Vurmo is IDM’s Senior Researcher on governance, anticorruption and EU enlargement. He is author of several IDM studies and reports related to civil society development, governance and anti-corruption, EU accession process, regional cooperation in the WBs and security issues such as radicalism and violent extremism.

Mr. Vurmo has served as Steering Board member of various networks of research institutes in the SEE region (PASOS, BCSDN) and is a contributor for several policy research bodies such as Center for European Policy Studies – CEPS Brussels, Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group – BiEPAG, OnThinkTanks etc. He has monitored and reported on Albania for well-known global reports such as the Open Government partnership (2013-2018), USAID CSO’s Sustainability Index (2010-2013), Open Parliaments 2012 report, and Freedom House’s Nations in Transit (2018 – 2020). Prior to working with IDM, Mr. Vurmo has been engaged with various think tanks in the WB region for over seven years.

Gjergji studied law at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and obtained his MA degree on European studies at the University of Bologna, Italy.

Languages: Albanian (native); English and Macedonian (C2, fluent); French and Italian (B2); Serbian & Croatian (B1)

Publications:

• Deconstructing state capture in Albania (IDM, 2021, co-authored with Rovena Sulstarova & Alban Dafa)
• Policy Insight | Anti-money laundering in Albania – What role for civil society? (IDM, 2021)
• Tailor-Made Laws in the Western Balkans: State capture in disguise (CEPS, 2020)
• A credible new accession methodology or just a face-saving exercise? (CEPS, 2020)
• The uncertainty of EU enlargement (IDM, 2019)
• Violent extremism in Albania (IDM, 2018)
• The Western Balkans’ EU Dream: Ambition calls for a new process (CEPS, 2018)
• Religious Tolerance in Albania (IDM, 2018)
• Albania Progress report on Open Government Partnership (IRM, 2017)
• Religious radicalism and violent extremism in Albania (IDM, 2015)
• Developing a think tank: first-hand experience with core funding (OnThinkTanks 2014)
• What are donors, state and the civil society getting wrong? (IDM 2013)
• Civil Society and EU accession – Moving beyond the ” box-ticking ” practice (IDM 2013)
• Opportunity knocks: can the EU help Albania to help itself? (EPC 2012, co-authored with Corina Stratulat)
• Interest groups and EU accession (IDM 2011)
• Civil Society Index for Albania (IDM, 2010)

Rovena Sulstarova is the Manager of the Governance Program. Additionally, Rovena is IDM’s in-house legal expert that assists with legislation and judiciary-related projects.

Her work experiences include leading positions in public administration and educational institutions and in the management of donor financed projects and programs in the education field. She has held different senior positions in the public administration, including the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Education and Science. Rovena has been a member of the Administration Council of University of Tirana, and has lectured on law and education in public and private universities. She currently teaches education law and policies at the Faculty of Social Sciences of University of Tirana.

Rovena holds a MSc in Law and a M.A in European Studies from the University of Tirana. She received her PhD in Education from the University of Tirana and she holds the title of attorney from the Albanian Bar Association.

Rovena is fluent in English and Italian, and speaks German at a basic level.

Selected publications:

Vurmo, Gj., Sulstarova, R & Dafa, A. (2021) “Deconstructing State capture in Albania: an examination of the Grand Corruption cases and Tailor-Made laës from 2008 to 2020”’.

Transparency International; https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/deconstructing-state-capture-in-albania-an-examination-of-grand-corruption-cases-and-tailor-made-laws-from-2008-to-2020

Sulstarova, R, Kasmi, J. (2021) “’Guarding the guardians: parliamentary oversight of independent institutions in Albania”’. Institute for Democracy and Mediation. https://idmalbania.org/guarding-the-guardians-parliamentary-oversight-of-independent-institutions-in-albania/

Sulstarova,R.., Kuci, B., and Agolli, M.(2021) “”Corruption and Integrity in Albania state police 3:00” Tirana :IDM. https://idmalbania.org/report-police-integrity-and-corruption-in-albania-3-0/

Sulstarova, R (2020) “’Integrity Risk Methodology for the Central Government”. Tirana: IDM. https://idmalbania.org/ëp-content/uploads/2021/01/Police-Integrity-Report_3.pdf

Sulstarova,R.., Xhaho, A., and Agolli, M.(2020). Monitoring Report on Police Vetting Process. Tirana: IDM

Sulstarova, R (2017) “Implementation of Bologna Process in Albania 2007-2015” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 8 (5): 53-59.

Sulstarova,R.., Kuci, B., Qirjazi, R and Agolli, M.(2019). “Report on assessment of state police ethics and integrity” ’. Institute for democracy and Mediation. https://idmalbania.org/assessment-report-on-state-police-ethics-and-integrity-june-2019/

Aliaj, Besnik & Sulstarova Rovena (2008) “Një platformë për edukimin politik në Shqipëri” ( A platform on political education in Albania). Tirana: Institute for Democracy and Reforms.

Sulstarova, R. (2012). The Legal Reform in Higher Education Facing the Exigencies of Albanian Society, Social Studies 6 (3): 75-82.

Denisa Shabani is the Head of Finance and Administration at Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and she manages the budget of 24 projects according to three departmental division structure CESA, LGID, RDC.

Before IDM, she has been working for Finance since October 2007 for international organizations, namely UNDP Albania and UN Women as a Program Finance Associate. She is an expert user of ATLAS financial system and this working experience has helped her to gain extensive knowledge in various duties including financial management of programs and project planning, budgeting, evaluation and monitoring process; preparation of quarterly basis financial statements.

Her responsibilities include certification of transactions for accuracy and propriety before submission to the supervisor for approval and action; analysis and interpretation of the financial rules and regulations and provision of advice and recommendations to a wide range of financial issues, etc.

She has assisted in 7 projects funded by the EU, Regional Research Promotion Programme funded by the University of Fribourg, Monitoring and Decentralization projects funded by the Swiss Embassy in Tirana, Regional project funded by SNSF, USAID, UNDP, BTD, Berghof Foundation, etc.

Denisa has an MA and BA in Business Administration.

Besjana Kuci works as a Project Manager and researcher at the IDM.

Ms. Kuci holds a M.Sc. in Political Theory and a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Tirana.

Over the last five years, Ms. Kuci has successfully managed projects on police integrity, strengthening of civil society and public sector approach to anti-corruption.

Ms. Kuci’s areas of interest include public institutions transparency and anti-corruption policies. Also, she has extensive experience in youth trainings on civic engagement activities through online platforms. She is member of the Swedish Institute Alumni Network.

Besjana Kuci works as a Project Manager and researcher at the IDM.

Ms. Kuci holds a M.Sc. in Political Theory and a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Tirana.

Over the last five years, Ms. Kuci has successfully managed projects on police integrity, strengthening of civil society and public sector approach to anti-corruption.

Ms. Kuci’s areas of interest include public institutions transparency and anti-corruption policies. Also, she has extensive experience in youth trainings on civic engagement activities through online platforms. She is member of the Swedish Institute Alumni Network.

Megi Reçi is a civic space program officer and researcher.

Within IDM, she has covered projects on public administration integrity and transparency, anti-corruption, public participation in decision-making, civil society sustainability, cybersecurity governance and human rights.

Before joining the IDM team, she worked for an international organisation in the area of human rights advocacy and engaged in several projects in support of human rights defenders and journalists in Albania and the Western Balkans. Besides, she was involved in various consultancies and research projects concerning anti-discrimination, freedom of expression and rule of law. Megi is also an annual contributor to a number global publications on gender equality and the state of democracy and a member of the Western Balkans Cybersecurity Research Network.

She graduated with honors from University of Tirana, Faculty of Law and holds a Master of Science in Public Law. In addition, she has completed the Benjamin Franklin Fellowship at the Wake Forest University in the U.S. and has received intensive legal training from several European universities.

Megi is fluent in English and Italian and has basic knowledge of Spanish.

Selected publications:

• Reçi, M., Kelmendi, S (2022) Bridging the Gap Between Cyber Policy Fragmentation and Human Rights. Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance
• Reçi, M., Prroni, D (2022) 2021 Civil Society Organizations Sustainability Index. USAID
• Reçi, M (2022) Citizen engagement in parliamentary decision-making. Institute for Democracy and Mediation
• Reçi, M (2022) Parliamentary Oversight. Institute for Democracy and Mediation
• Reçi, M., Kuçi, B (2022) Needs assessment on public consultation processes for the central government administration. Institute for Democracy and Mediation
• Reçi, M., Totoni, L (2022) Integrity Plan of Roskovec Municipality 2023-2026
• Sulstarova, R., Reçi, M (2022) Integrity Plan of Maliq Municipality 2022-2025
• Sulstarova, R., Reçi, M (2022) Integrity Plan of Pogradec Municipality 2022-2025
• Reçi, M., Angjeli, D (2021) Ticking the box on public consultations: enablers, repercussions, solutions?. Institute for Democracy and Mediation/WeBER 2.0.
• Reçi, M., Xhaho, A (2021) Monitoring report: Transparency and Accountability at Local Self-Government Level. Institute for Democracy and Mediation
• Sulstarova, R., Reçi, M (2021), Evaluation report on the implementation level of the Municipal Integrity Plans. Institute for Democracy and Mediation
• Krasniqi, A., Metalla, A., Bozo, A., Likmeta, B., Skendaj, E., Cukaj, I., Voko, K., Reçi, M., Shehu, R (2021) Evaluation of the situation of Human Rights and Rule of Law during Albania’s OSCE chairmanship. Albanian Helsinki Committee
• Matlija, D., Dule, I., Laçi, V., Reçi, M (2021) Roadmap to the EU: Advancing procedural rights in Albania. Fair Trials.
• Reçi, M (2021) Do youth votes matter in Albania?. Kosovo 2.0
• Reçi, M (2021) Elections during a pandemic – What have we learned?. Eurospeak
• Reçi, M., Kurti, T., Cakaj, E,. Dida, E. (2021) Human Rights and Technology. ILRG
• Reçi, M (2020) An overview of how Albania is responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Fair Trials
• Reçi, M (2020) Legal changes on abortion rights in Poland, global developments and the regression of women’s rights. Eurospeak
• Reçi, M (2020) Are the lives of Albanians protected?. Kosovo 2.0

Romario Shehu is IDM’s security program officer and researcher, focusing on security-related programs and projects. His work centers on security sector governance, violent extremism, organized crime and foreign policy.

He holds a Master of Sciences in International Relations from the University of Tirana and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Relations from Epoka University. He is fluent in Albanian, English, and Turkish.

Romario is an Exchange Alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the United States; Aspen Fellow – Alumni of Aspen Romania’s 2023 Program; and member of the International Advisory Board at the United Against Hate in Madison, Wisconsin.

Romario joined IDM in 2016 and has contributed to the following publications:

• The 2024 Assessment of Violent Extremism in Albania: Drivers, Forms, and Threats;
• Study report Pandemic management and lessons learned for a more secure future;
• Successfully reintegrating violent extremist offenders;
• Little Black Book of Organised Crime Groups in the Western Balkans;
• Russia and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals;
• Working Paper on enabling environments, drivers, and occurrence/nonoccurrence of violent extremism;
• 2020 Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index Albania;
• The status of Violent Extremism in Albania: A national assessment of drivers, forms and threats;
• Falling short of commitments: how Western Balkan governments fight organized crime;
• Mapping civil society responses in confronting organized crime in the Western Balkans;
• 2019 Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index Albania;
• Role of Religion in the Western Balkans’ Societies;
• Violent Extremism in Albania;
• Community Perspectives on Combating Violent Extremism in Albania;
• Reconsidering the role of civil society and religious authorities in building community resilience in Albania;
• Next generation Turkey and its foreign policy in the Western Balkans;